Joint Call by the Eva Luise and Horst Köhler Foundation and Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation
Due to rapid technological progress, there is high potential for diagnostic and therapeutic innovation in rare diseases. Such advances are best implemented by physicians who combine clinical practice and research in their careers (Clinician Scientists).
The call for applications for a non-thematic Clinician Scientist Professorship for Rare Diseases aims to advance translational research in a rare disease or group of diseases and enhance international visibility for the field. At the same time, the professorship should substantially improve care for people with rare diseases and serve as a central point of contact for affected individuals in Germany.
The professorship aims to give a physician with outstanding achievements in both patient care and research a long-term perspective to continue the Clinician Scientist career path, dedicating 50% of their working time to patient care and the other 50% to research in a rare disease or disease group.
The Clinician Scientist Professorship is endowed with up to €1.1 million for the total term. Funds are provided for personnel costs of the research share, which should amount to 50% of a W3 professorship salary. The remaining funds may be used freely for research purposes throughout the professorship.
The funding term is set for up to 10 years. After an initial funding period of five years, and upon positive interim evaluation, a one-time extension for another five years is possible. Funding ends early upon appointment to a tenured professorship.
Applications are open to physicians from university hospitals or other research institutions with patient care in Germany,
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- who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in research, patient care, and teaching,
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- who can demonstrate a significant and above-average research component in their career (e.g., through several years as a Clinician Scientist or extensive research leaves)
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- who pursue an innovative, convincing, and internationally competitive scientific research program
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- whose research targets a substantial improvement in care for people with a rare disease or disease group.
A completed Habilitation or comparable achievements and completed medical specialty training are required at the time of application.
Application requirements confirmed by the host university hospital and medical faculty:
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- contractually agreed research time of 50% of total work time for the research share of the professorship
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- continued employment and covering of personnel costs for the patient care share (50% of work time) at the appropriate experience level (TVÄ, with allowances)
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- professorial title, e.g., appointment to a W-professorship (at least for the duration of the Clinician Scientist Professorship)
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- possibility of collaboration with an established, ideally certified (or in certification process) Center for Rare Diseases
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- provision of organizational and structural resources (such as clinical position, staff, research space, laboratory facilities) needed for a successful Clinician Scientist role.
The selection process is in two stages: Applications may be submitted by 27 February 2024 by email to antrag-wissenschaft@ekfs.de. Application documents can be found on the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation website:
The selection committee will invite some candidates from all applications to a second round. After review and individual presentation, the selection committee will make a funding recommendation to the foundation boards. A final decision is expected by September 2024.
